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Rainbow-colored nooses removed from Tennessee campus

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — Police opened an investigation Monday after six rainbow-colored nooses were found hanging from a tree at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee.

The nooses sparked outrage on campus because of the implied links to racism and anti-LGBT sentiments. However, multiple students said the display was an art project.

Campus police found the brightly colored ropes organized into the colors of a rainbow near the school's fine arts building around 5 p.m. Monday. University President Alisa White called the nooses “deeply disturbing” in a statement Monday posted on the school's Facebook page.

 

So this is at #APSU

A photo posted by NAACP Of APSU (@naacp.apsu) on

 

“Regardless of the intent, the display has no place on our campus,” she said. “I am saddened, and I am sorry for the hurt and offense this has caused and want our students, faculty and staff to know that it will not be tolerated.”

In response, multiple students said the nooses were part of a sculpture class.

A student who declined to be identified told The Leaf-Chronicle that the project was approved by the professor in an introductory sculpture class.

School officials did not immediately respond to the claims.